Effect of rotational tillage regimes on water-use efficiency and yield of wheat under corn–wheat cropping system (Case Study: North China Plain)

Tillage practices have been widely acknowledged to play a critical role in optimizing water use efficiency (WUE) for winter wheat production in the Northern China Plain (NCP) where drought is a critical limiting factor. Therefore, the WUE of wheat as influenced by annual rotational tillage under the corn–wheat cropping system during 2016–2018 has determined. The tillage regimes in the corn season were either N: no–tillage or SR: sub–soiling with rotary tillage). One of three regimes, sTR: strip rotary tillage; R: rotary tillage; and SR: sub–soiling with rotary tillage) were the tillage practices in the wheat seasons. Thus, making a total of 6 treatments. N–SR markedly decreased the penetration resistance, while the soil water storage was enhanced in the 60-100 cm layer during the wheat season, over both years. On the other hand, the use of SR during the wheat-growing season increased evapotranspiration. Compared with other tillage practices, the photosynthesis rate enhanced under the N–SR. As a result, the highest yield and WUE of wheat were recorded in the N–SR regime. Our findings suggest that no–tillage in the corn season and sub–soiling with rotary tillage in the succeeding wheat season can improve wheat yield by promoting deep soil water, enhancing the leaves photosynthesis rate and increasing WUE.